UK Tour 2018

BETH HART RELEASES FIRST LIVE RELEASE IN 13 YEARS
‘LIVE FROM NEW YORK – FRONT AND CENTER’

CD/DVD set will be released on April 13th, 2018 via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group

Watch Hart Perform “Tell Her You Belong To Me”

Switch of the phones, Switch off the world. The click play…. immerse yourself for six minutes within the emotional journey Beth Hart takes you on. Her masterful vocals wrap around the lyrics and pulling you deep into Tell Her You Belong To Me. This single from her forthcoming album Front and Center is Beth Hart immersion therapy for your soul. Leaving you both exalted and emotionally stripped bare. The forthcoming album promises to be an emotional rollercoaster.

On March 7th, 2017, the GRAMMY-nominated “powerhouse vocalist” (Rolling Stone) Beth Hart performed a very special, intimate concert at NYC’s Iridium Jazz Club, which featured songs from her latest album ‘Fire on the Floor’ and from throughout her career. Now, 13 years after the release of her incredibly successful live release, ‘Live at Paradiso,’ Hart is treating fans to a DVD/CD release of this standout performance with Live From New York – Front & Center, out April 13th via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The performance is also featured on the Season 8 premiere episode of Public Television’s critically acclaimed concert series, Front and Center (airing now, check local listings).

Known for her visceral, soul-baring vocals and dynamic range, Hart is riding a creative tidal wave following the release of her critically acclaimed 2016 studio album, Fire On The Floor, as well as her just-released studio collaboration with guitarist Joe Bonamassa,Black Coffee. Leveling audiences with her incredible power and celebrated burnt-honey vocals for 20 years, Hart has just launched a 16-date coast-to-coast US tour, which will be followed by a European tour in April-May 2018.

Hart has had an incredible career, beginning with the release of a fistful of hit albums through the ’90s, then reigniting in the post-millennium as both a solo artist and the head-turning vocalist for guitar heroes like Joe Bonamassa, Slash and long-time collaborator Jeff Beck. But it’s in recent times that Beth has truly blossomed, selling out ever-larger venues in cities around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. She is recognized as one of the great live vocalists of our time, with a voice “reminiscent of Etta James and Janis Joplin” (Music Connection), topping Billboard’s Blues Album Chart and receiving numerous GRAMMY and Blues Music Awards nominations. Dubbed “the ultimate female rock star” by The Blues Magazine, the Guardian has praised her “daring, brooding performances” and The Times has called her “Extraordinary.”

‘Live From New York – Front And Center’ will be released as a 2-disc DVD/CD set, mixed in 5.1 stereo, featuring never before seen bonus material, including an exclusive interview with Hart. The audio from the performance will also be sold separately as a digital release.Track Listing

Blues and boogie from One Man One Band Extraordinaire

When I was a youngster, all those years ago, a one-man band was a novelty act on programs such as Opportunity Knocks. Ah, remember Hughie Green and the Muscle Man etc.? Just me then!
This trip down memory lane is to assure you that Steve Hill is not a novelty act; one man he may be, and he does play guitar, bass and snare drums, cymbals and harmonica simultaneously, but he does it with flair and it actually works. (He even has a drumstick attached to the head of his guitar).
Hill is very successful in his homeland of Canada and has racked up a lot of support for his previous releases. On his own, he is able to effortlessly bring to mind full bands such as Foghat, the Bluesbreakers and the Faces. Blues and boogie from One Man One Band Extraordinaire Canadian Steve Hill is more than a One Man Band He Rocks on Solo Recordings Volume 3.

The opening number, Damned, sets the scene for most of the electric numbers which follow. There is a distinctly live feel to the recording and, Hill’s voice, whilst not being the best in the genre, is a perfect match for this kind of blues. Added to that, he brings a sense of fun with the backing rhythm his various limbs provide, as he expands on the song’s main riff.

Dangerous is laid back blues with a smooth rock lilt, throughout which I keep hearing early Gary Moore’s approach to the blues. Still A Fool and A Rollin’ Stone, the first cover is probably best known from the version by Muddy Waters and has Hill pulling real emotion from every string. Similarly, the rocker Rhythm All Over has a great riff and moves into a slide solo which is so fluid it just melts! Can’t Take It With You has sublime, echoey guitar moving neatly into a mid-paced guitar section. The other covers, Rollin’ & Tumblin/Stop Breaking Down are faithful, albeit electrified, to the Robert Johnson originals, including some glorious slide guitar.
When Hill moves to acoustic, as on Slowly Slipping Away, we see the other, mellower side to him. This track and Smoking Hot Machine feature some smouldering harmonica to show the depth of writing and performing that Hill can bring to the party.

Troubled Times is a fingerpicked, folky blues tune, and he uses the body of the acoustic as well as the strings, really effectively to evoke the “cold is coming” theme. Emily is a rhythmic bluesy shuffle, bringing to mind The Kinks in their heyday.
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad is undoubtedly blues with a slight hint of a thoughtful ballad. A beautiful acoustic introduction takes us into the body of the song. The Grateful Dead is probably best known for this track, although the original is a 1927 folk blues covered by many, including Woody Guthrie.

The album finishes with a true, fuzzed blues-rock track. Walking Grave has Hill letting rip with guitar soloing that tips its hat to, I’d guess, influences such as Hendrix and Gallagher.
When listening to this great album, it can be difficult to remember this is just one man. How he coordinates all of the instruments is beyond me, but I am more than happy to benefit from this man’s skills. Blues and blues/rock combine on a very satisfying album.
Catch Hill live and believe! in the power of blues and boogie from One Man One Band Extraordinaire. Check out tour dates NOW!

Vibrant Nashville-based Americana duo The Grahams(pronounced Grams)announce extensive February-March 2018 UK tour previewing material from two eagerly anticipated projects due later this year – their new studio album produced by Richard Swift (Black Keys, Arcs, Shins), and continuing their adventurous exploration of the USA – this time around on two wheels – the soundtrack to their new feature-length documentary Love & Distortion. So while we wait for the opportunity to hear The Grahams play live in the U.K. – here are two new numbers enjoy!!!!

On the first taster from the soundtrack, which will only be available as a limited edition 7” single at UK shows, until the full soundtrack’s official release later this year, The Grahams interpret The Pretenders’ ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’, a Top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1986, and Mazzy Star’s 1994 cult classic ‘Fade Into You’.

In the Fall of 2016, while the country reels from a seemingly unstoppable vortex of disorientation, musicians & lifelong soul mates The Grahams, set out on a spectacular motorcycle expedition across America’s time-warped Route 66. Amidst the neon, the romance, the heat, the music and the sheer power of nostalgia, The Grahams explore the concept of “real” America with the eccentric and notorious characters who live and work in the strange and mysterious world that is Route 66.

Featuring a surreal soundtrack with contributions from Nashville’s finest; Elizabeth Cook, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Dylan LeBlanc, Chuck Mead, Lilly Hiatt, The Grahams and many more, Love & Distortion is not a travel guide or a musical biopic. This feature-length documentary, which follows The Grahams down the Mother Road, is an unconventional narrative weaving in and out of moments and realities that can be found in the various sub-cultures of America’s Main Street.

Bluesdoodles reviewed Glory Bound the tour will give everyone the opportunity to hear the new music as The Grahams share the sound the duo create live for our enjoyment

Get to know the Grahams before you hear them live in the U.K.

Alyssa and Doug Graham have spent nearly their entire lives exploring music together. Friends since she was 7 and he was 9, they became a couple in their teens, then husband and wife. Somewhere along the way, they also became The Grahams, a dynamic Americana duo who’ve married their love of adventure with a desire to build on foundations laid by their musical predecessors. Their first song-crafting expedition, along the Mississippi’s Great River Road, became their 2013 debut, Riverman’s Daughter. For its follow-up, Glory Bound, they rode the rails – and wound up recording not only a studio album but Rattle The Hocks, a documentary and live album recorded on the move and in venues from Sun Studio to Amtrak’s famed City of New Orleans train.

“full of warmth and a generosity of spirit that ensured the audience was happy to join in making its music in the round.”Bluesdoodles

“Americana doesn’t come much better.” Acoustic magazine

“The Grahams are never far away from waving the banner of the road though they change the mood of their songs like the scenery flying by outside a southbound boxcar.” Alternate Root

“Doug’s mastery of the resonator guitar is matched by Alyssa’s spectacularly dexterous vocal chords ensuring their blend is beautifully matched to the breadth and scope of their music”American Roots UK

Cameo of Rainbreakers Live Performance Jaks Skegness 2018. Rainbreakers are back to set Skegness alight once again. This year they headline Saturday in Jaks; the stage organised by Blues Matters. The venue that is dark, moody hot had the venue that has seen amazing nights we all still talk about the night Larry Miller set Jaks ablaze with his music. The anticipation was high amongst the many who have heard The Rainbreakers play live before. Into the mix and those who just came to see what the fuss was about or party and drink into Sunday morning.

The band was on fire full of energy as the band from Shrewsbury blended the music to create a music fuelled party atmosphere. Having spoken to members of the audience many just popped in for five minutes and now determined to stay to the end. This was no surprise to me as having been captivated by the sound since I first heard and reviewed in 2015 Blood Not Brass.

What is Rainbreakers sound? What makes then stand-out on a crowded circuit? They have stretched the blues from the Mississippi Delta, up to Chicago across to the sun-drenched West Coast and sound drenched in the seventies full of soul. Musicians ready to conquer the here and now. A quartet mix power with subtlety. A rhythm section drummer Sam Edwards and bassist Peter Adams lay down the scaffolding of their brand of Blues-rock. Guitar work from Charlie Richards bending the notes as vocals are delivered by Ben Edwards. The unit is tight and the live sound electric.

Tonight in Jaks they came set-up and allowed their music to conquer. That is exactly what they did. Saturday in Jaks was a happy place to be as they played music that made you get up and dance, smile and be happy with tracks from the second EP; Rise Up. This is what Jaks as we all rose up as one and enjoyed the moments they played a storming set, to be remembered long after Jaks falls silent. The Rainbreakers were the last Saturday night headliners to play the small stage in Jaks.

Brothers Osborne New Album Plus UK Tour 2018 Definitely Brighter. With the release of their second studio album Port Saint Joe. Out in the U.K. 20th April Via Snakefarm Records. Make sure your copy arrives then pre-order

Now the pre-order is done ready to learn the numbers before the UK Headline tour in May. While you wait for the album to drop through your letterbox here is video of Shoot Me Straight (Tn The Studio)

“Shoot Me Straight” is the brand new single from Brothers Osborne. The song will be available to stream and download everywhere on January 5, 2018.

Brothers Osborne have announced the details of their second studio album, the follow-up to their Pawn Shop debut, now certified gold in the US.

Titled Port Saint Joe and featuring 10 new tracks including lead single ‘Shoot Me Straight’, this release from the Nashville-based duo was recorded away from the sometimes sterile environs of the studio, in a Florida beach house in the town of Port Saint Joe – a beach house stacked with cool equipment and the desire to craft music built on energy and vibe.

“‘Port Saint Joe’ is a sonic representation of who we’ve become, not only as a band but as people,” says guitarist John Osborne. “Every show we’ve ever played together is on this record. Every song we’ve ever written and every mile we’ve ever ridden has led to the making of this record. Imperfections and all.”

Vocalist/guitarist TJ adds, “We shacked up for two weeks to make an unabashed record that would reflect who we are in every way, and in the process, we had the most enjoyable and memorable recording experience of our lives.”

King King released their fourth studio album “Exile & Grace” in October 2017 via Manhaton Records. The album features the band’s singles (She Don’t) Gimme No Lovin’ and Long Time Running which have been big hits on Planet Rock radio in the UK.

Hot on the heels of King King’s January 2018 UK tour – including their biggest London show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire to date – Britain’s No. 1 rock blues band announce their April – June 2018 UK Tour including shows at HRH Blues in Sheffield and the Rock & Blues Festival in Newport.

Special Guest Steve Hill is an act not to be missed – When it comes to one-man bands, guitarist and singer extraordinaire Steve Hill has no limits. The truest definition of a one-man band; Hill performs standing up while singing and playing guitar, his feet playing bass drum, snare drum, hi-hats and with a drumstick fused to the head of his trusty guitar, any other percussion within reach. An overnight sensation 20 years in the making, Steve Hill is an ambitious and raucous force to be reckoned with.

Throughout his career, Hill has shared the stage with many of his musical heroes including Ray Charles, BB King, ZZ Top, Jimmie Vaughan, Hubert Sumlin, Jeff Beck and many others. Over the course of nine albums, he’s explored everything from hard rock, country, and stoner rock to folk music while always incorporating the essence of his first love, the blues.

Bluesdoodles said, ” The music has the solidity of granite rock and definitely a new cadence to the vocals from our kilt-wearing Alan Nimmo.” Read the rest Exile & Grace Review

With Four nominations for 2018 inaugural FORM, UKBlues Awards 2018 Exile & Grace is following in the footsteps of 2015’s multi-award winning “Reaching For The Light.”

REMEMBERThe Rules: UKBlues Federations states – Whilst it is appreciated that voters may not wish to vote in every category, voters are requested to cast votes in as many categories as possible. To avoid the possibility of the voting being ‘hijacked’ or unduly biased, the UKBlues Federation reserves the right to disallow votes from voters who have not voted in at least six of the nine main categories (1 to 9 inclusive).

“When I began writing this album, I knew that it was going to be one of the toughest challenges of my career.” – Danny Bryant

Danny Bryant is pleased to announce his highly anticipated new studio album “Revelation.”“Sister Decline”, the first track is taken from the new album, is now available as an instant grat track on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

His fourth studio album to be produced by Richard Hammerton, following in the footsteps of 2015’s Blood Moneyand 2014’s Temperature Rising, the new albums is one of Danny’s most personal and emotional album of his career.

“When I began writing this album, I knew that it was going to be one of the toughest challenges of my career,” says Danny. “It wasn’t lack of material, it wasn’t a lack of desire, but I realised from the beginning that, if this record was to achieve the things I wanted it to say, I would have to go deep inside of myself with these songs and confront memories and emotions I didn’t really want to face.”

Unmissable King King Touring from April to June 2018

Hot on the heels of King King’s January 2018 UK tour – including their biggest London show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire to date – Britain’s No. 1 rock blues band announce their April – June 2018 UK Tour including shows at HRH Blues in Sheffield and the Rock & Blues Festival in Newport.

King King released their fourth studio album “Exile & Grace” in October 2017 via Manhaton Records. The album features the band’s singles (She Don’t) Gimme No Lovin’ and Long Time Running which have been big hits on Planet Rock radio in the UK.

Bluesdoodles said, ” The music has the solidity of granite rock and definitely a new cadence to the vocals from our kilt-wearing Alan Nimmo.” Read the rest Exile & Grace Review

With Four nominations for 2018 inaugural FORM, UKBlues Awards 2018 Exile & Grace is following in the footsteps of 2015’s multi-award winning “Reaching For The Light.” King King nominated Categories are:- Male Blues Vocalist – Blues Band of The Year – Blues Alum of The Year – Blues Song Writer of The Year.

Liz chatting with Tom Leighton Lead Vocalist and Guitarist for The Bad Flowers. Good evening Tom, thank you for taking time out to chat to Bluesdoodles. The Bad Flowerswill be a new band to many readers of Bluesdoodles. So this is the perfect chance to talk about debut album and part of a tour we are all excited about. With The Bad Flowers as special guests for a night of exciting music with Jared James Nichols & Stone Broken.

As a Midlands based hard rock band, what were your first musical influences growing up in Cannock?

Thin Lizzie was the first band me and Dale the bass player latched on to so we have that common ground. Then there was Black Sabbath and stuff like that in the Midlands. Dale is a huge Gezzer Butler fan. So all bands of that ilk really. The first band I went to see live with my Dad was Wishbone Ash. So it is all Classic rock that influences me. You have quite a heritage of classic from coming from that area? Yes, we have Glenn Hughes, Galley Brothers they were obviously Trapeze to start with, Dale was lucky enough to have a jam with Mel Galley which was pretty cool. There are some great bands come out of the area, the likes of Slade, Noddy Holder is one of my favourite singers; Robert Plant is from Wolverhampton so it is a good area from Heritage for sure. It is not just about Heritage though it is about moving music on keeping it modern and fresh. It is definitely about tipping your cap to that but doing your own thing as well trying to keep that flame going. There are a bunch of bands coming out at the minute there is Stone Broken, Broken Witt Rebels, ourselves, and there is Piston from Cannock. Not heard of Piston! Piston, yea they are good guys man, playing similar sort of thing, yes they’re a bunch of great bands coming out of the Midlands at the minute doing lots of good things so all good.

The opening track of Starting Gun, Thunder Child has been released as a single which is catching the ear of reviewers for all the right reasons. How did you decide on this number to unleash the power of The Bad Flowers album for radio play etc?

It was one of the later songs that we wrote for the album. When we played the riff for the first time, we came up with the riff it was like yea this is kinda us it was fast paced, quite a heavy riff shows us all off. The bass line is great, and the drumming great in it. It is fast paced and catching the ear let’s go with this one. We have similar songs on the album but because it was last it was so fresh and no one had heard it ever. We hadn’t played it so let’s put it out it is totally new. So was the album mainly material you have played live or mainly new material? Majority of it is fresh, majority brand new. City Lights was actually on our last EP; it has been one of the most popular songs when we play live. We have noticed recently that when we play it people starting to sing back the words at the beginning it is a strange feeling to have but good feeling but it is strange. We felt that song still had some legs so we put it on the album the rest we have written in the last year so all pretty new. Tom, are you the songwriter? Yea all the lyrics and everything. We come up with the riffs altogether.

How do you define the music of The Bad Flowers so that you stand out from the plethora of trios playing rock?

Well, the one word we get a lot is ‘Thunderous’ which is a good word to describe us especially live we’ve always gone out as a three-piece but make it sound like there are more than the three of us. Thunderous Rock n’ roll – I like that description. I think it gets us down to a T really. But, the album shows off a little bit a softer side to it at times. Trying to be a bit diverse. Yes, there is a really nice acoustic track included. Yes, it is I Hope So will you be including the softer side into your live set? In the live set, it is all pretty heavy. From the album, Lets Misbehave that starts softer and builds which we have put into our last two live shows. It went down really, really well so may keep that in for the New Year when we go on tour, and just depends on how long a set we get as it is one of the longer songs. It is one of my favourite songs on the album to be fair.

I didn’t pick up thunderous on the first couple of listens. I felt the Album is full of volcanic rocking energy, with the artwork on the cover of Starting Gun is eye-catching reflecting bands and album name how did you arrive at this image and album name for your debut?

The name is actually a lyric from Thunder Child – it is like The Thunder Clap is my Starting Gun. When we were thinking of a name for the album Starting Gun clicked in my head. It is our first album we are making the statement we want to go in with a bang really. So we came to the conclusion it would be a good name for the album. Then the artwork was a collaboration between myself and our friend Shaun, who is a singer in a band Liberty Lies and he did the design work for us and we are really happy. Yes, great artwork. Love seeing artwork relevant to the album but not a picture of the band. We have always been a fan of artwork and things. Our previous EP had like a Lion, Shark and a Phoenix on it because each of us has one of these tattooed on us somewhere, so we put it all together and I drew that myself. This time round got Shaun to do the artwork as he is very talented. Yes, we are really happy with it. We actually got the full CD’s today and they look amazing. It is the vinyl I am looking forward to getting my hands on the most I can’t wait.

Starting Gun, Engineered at Vigo Studios in Birmingham then the music travelled to Hamburg, Germany for Mastering? How and why did you choose this combination?

We spoke to the guy online. He noticed us through the power of Social Media, perhaps Instagram, that we were recording and he sort of pitched himself to us. We sent him a track to test out how it sounded and it came back and sounded really good. It fitted into our budget and we loved the way he worked so it was great. So that was how it came back. So social media chose the path. We spent some time in Germany last year but it was just a coincidence really, it came about at the right time and worked out really well. It has got a lovely sound the album. We tried to keep the sound as analogue as we could and mix it like we were playing live when we were recording trying to capture the energy a bit. We don’t even use a click track, we just go in and play it. Yes, it has got that clean has a natural feel. Yes, it is the human element we don’t like recording like a machine, we don’t even use a click track. We just go in and play so some of it might speed up a little bit or slow down a little bit but we just like to play how we play live capturing the energy that is how we have always done it and works really well for us as well. It would take us longer to record to a click track, to be honest with you (laughing). For those who want to know what is a Click Track? It is like a metronome. It is a constant perfect timing that you play along to, but we play by feel.

As the Guitarist and vocalist do you have a favourite track? Yes, as I said Let’s Misbehave. What made this track the favourite? Yes pretty much. I was going through a strange point in my life when we did that and it kind reflects that a little bit. We had the music for quite a long time before the lyrics. The lyrics for that I went into the studio and I had very little idea and then recorded it in an evening. It was just one of those moments, you listen back and go that’s the one! So it was done in two or three takes that song was done lyrically. So in an evening you started you had no idea and it has become one of your favourites? I did have an inkling, a few lines but nothing set in stone. The chorus which was set in stone it was the verses that took the time. But we sat down and the Producer Adam really helped me with them in phrasing and things like that, we listened back and did it in an evening. It was one of those great moments that you can only get writing music.

The rhythm section of Dale on Bass & Karl on Drums is a powerhouse how do the three of you work together ensuring the sound is coherent and works so well with your vocals and guitar so that the melodic flow is never lost against that powerhouse?

It is a kinda unconscious thing really. Me and Dale have been playing together since we were about 16/17. So we have only really been in bands playing together and the majority has been as a three-piece. When Karl joined about three and half years ago now, we had to look for the right person to fit in with Dale and myself. We have been playing together for so long it isn’t easy. As soon as he started playing with us it was like we had been playing together months not minutes. It is something that I have always said. When we are playing together it is like we are all on the same wavelength. Dale & Karl are really good at locking in together. If something is not right Dale or Karl will shout out straight away. We won’t sit on things we are always upfront and honest with each other, if things have to be changed then that is what happens. It works well when we are in the studio/ rehearsing. Hard to explain it just clicks.

The Bad Flowers are out on Tour in March with fellow Midlands’s band Stone Broken and American Jared James Nichols. Which tracks from the album and why will be played live and loud.

We are quite good friends with Jared we toured with him November 2016 and we have stayed in touch ever since. When he came over last summer for festivals we hung out with him, so it is going to be a tour with all of our friends. It is I think quite a good line-up. Everything that is on the album is or has been on the live set recently. Hopefully get Let’s Misbehave on there because I love that track, Who Needs A Soul, Thunder Child, Hurricane and I Don’t Believe It, which is kinda treading new ground for us. It is quite a fast paced riffy track with lots of parts to it. When we first started playing it live we struggled then it clicked and is now one of our favourites. City Lights different live to what is on the album and has been the losing number but may shake it up on this tour. Going to be fun, lots of new venues and people to play to live and loud lots of foot stomping.

If you were putting together the perfect band with members from across the years (dead or alive) who would you have playing

Drums: John BonhamBass: John EntwistleGuitar: Daniel Sproul (Rose Hill Drive one of the reasons why we got together so have to have their guitarist who is phenomenal)Vocals: Robert Plant

Laurence Jones speaks the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

4 albums in, what do you do next? You look for something new and fresh, dig deep into your heart and see what comes out, to see what other sides there are to you. This is what Laurence Jones has done with his new album “The Truth”. Laurence continues to make a name for himself on the blues-rock circuit in the UK and Europe and his new album with its commercial feel but rocky edge will no doubt win him new fans further afield. Laurence took a few moments out from rehearsals and over a drink at an after-show party to chat as we were seeking honest answers…

“The Truth” is a few steps down a different path than your previous albums in its sound and arrangements…

Well, and between us, I want to be the next Justin Bieber, he’s my hero! Hahaha! But seriously, it is a crossover album for me in terms of the writing and production for sure. You know, all of my real heroes like John Mayer and Eric Clapton have stepped into different territory before and not just relied upon the guitar playing so I guess it’s my turn to do that. I don’t want to churn out the same album time after time as nobody wants to hear that and I’d get bored. I like challenges and I like to challenge myself which is what I’ve done with “The Truth”. Before we go any further, assure your readers that this album was all made with real instruments and real players!

You had me worried for a moment there thinking this isn’t the Laurence Jones I know…

There’s different sides to all of us and I wanted to show a different side of me with this album. I really focused on the songwriting, lyrics and melodic content. I’ve really been building up to making a record like this is taking the guitar side of things and mixing it with something that’s modern but true to itself. We talked about guitar playing when we were at the Black Country Communion after show party at Hammersmith (man what a gig eh!) and I’ve really pushed myself in the guitar solos to make them memorable, like a song in a song. Take the solo in “Hotel California”, that’s crazy long but you can sing it and it tells a story in itself. I hope that mine on this album do that for anyone who listens to it.

We’re talking about putting yourself out there and opening up here…

Absolutely. I can only write about things I know, not what’s up in the sky that I don’t know about. The songs really do the talking on this album and they’ve been finely picked from a whole bunch of demos. It was a dream to have a few weeks of pre-production in Curacao which is a Dutch island in the Caribbean, before heading to Miami to record at the old Sony Studios. Such a cool place man. The legendary Gregory Elias has produced this album and he brought so much to the table but still allowed me the freedom to go my own way. You know, Gregory is the man who brought The Rolling Stones to Cuba and put on a free gig for everyone, how cool is that! That just shows what a nice guy he is and inspirational. If you take songs such as “Hold Me Close”, “The Truth” and “Take Me” my heart’s on my sleeve right there, for better or for worse and I want the listener to feel that. Sure, there’s some rockier moments in “Give Me Your Time” and “Gone Away” but the emotional content is there in all of the songs. It was all about writing catchy songs with guitar solos and I keep up to date with all music out there, it’d be great to hear more guitar in the charts and these songs are more of a commercial feel than my rockier stuff so you never know!

What can we expect from your live shows this time around with this fresh take on your writing?

20-minute guitar solos! Hahaha!, not really. There will be some moments where we’ll be jamming out on a few songs, extending the solo’s a bit, in fact, I’m at rehearsals now and we’ve been working the set-out. I’ve got a really cool new band in Bennet Holland on keys, Phil Wilson on drums and Greg Smith on bass. We were playing in Holland before and everything just went super well. The crowds were great, singing along and getting right into it. It’s sounding really slick, the new songs are transferring well to a live setup and we’re psyched to be taking them out on the road. I love playing live and it’s great to connect with the audience and bring something to their day – you never know what’s going on with people and them coming out to your gig may be something they really need in that moment so we’ll be giving everything, every night of the tour. We’ve got a show January 23 at The Borderline in London, love that venue, and the UK tour really begins on May 3 in Manchester at Band On The Wall.

What do you think of the current scene in the UK and any advice for those younger than yourself as you had some great success at an early age?

When I first started all this, there was really only myself, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Simon McBride out doing what we do. That was cool, but it’s a lot cooler that there’s more and more bands and artists on the blues-rock scene in the UK now. I never view it as competition and it’s great to see people out playing, the new festivals that have come about as that shows there’s a demand for the music we play and love. As for those starting out, just don’t be afraid to try things. Don’t copy, take influences and mix them up and try and put your own stamp on things.

If you could pick any album to have written and made yourself, what would it be?

Oh, that’s tricky. C’mon man, can I have two? Yes? Ah great…it’d have to be “Riding With The Kings” of Eric Clapton and BB King, such a great record and has that crossover feel to it like my new album and Jimi Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced”, just because I’d love to know what was going on in his mind when he was writing it!